It looked like Microsoft had settled all the government contentions surrounding its $69 Billion purchase of Activision Blizzard at least until the FTC’s hearing in October, but the FTC has said nay nay to that and once again began moving forward with its administrative case against the buyout.
FTC boss Linda Khan is once again facing backlash over wasting taxpayer money on the issue. In response to the reopening of the case, Blizzard executive Lulu Cheng Meservey Tweeted that “we’re focused on working with Microsoft toward closing”, and that “How the FTC uses limited taxpayer resources is their decision”.
In response to questions about this: we’re focused on working with Microsoft toward closing.
How the FTC uses limited taxpayer resources is their decision. https://t.co/4NTulgQeBA
— Lulu Cheng Meservey (@lulumeservey) September 27, 2023
Without a preliminary injunction, there isn’t much the FTC can do right now, however. The deadline for Microsoft to deliver on the purchase of Activision Blizzard is October 18, while the order returning the matter to adjudication from the FTC states that the internal judge will hear the case 21 days after the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issues its opinion regarding the appeal of the district court decision on the requested preliminary injunction.
The FTC has already failed once to block the merger, but it looks like they are determined to continue to fight this.
More appeals, more judgments, and all of it likely for nothing. At this point, the Microsoft buyout of Activision Blizzard seems inevitable with little to no actual reason to stop it from going through. But we will keep you updated as new events arise surrounding the buyout, as you never know what could happen, and what weird reason the FTC may give this time as to why they want to block the purchase.
Troy Blackburn, News Editor
Troy “Noobfridge” Blackburn has been reporting on the video game industry for over a decade. Whether it’s news, editorials, gameplay videos, or streams, Noobfridge never fails to present his honest opinion whether those hot takes prove to be popular or not.
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